2017 Race Calendar

January 10, 2017 by 19 Comments

As I mentioned over coffee the other day, I’ve been going round in circles on my race calendar. And, while the fall still pretty fuzzy, I’ve got the first half of the year pinned down.

Super Sunday 5 Miler — This race is being billed in part as a celebration of completing the Winter Challenge. There will be live music, food and beer post-race, with all proceeds going to the Race Cancer Foundation. Plus many of my BGR teammates will be there – sounds like a good way to kick off Super Bowl Sunday!

The Old Fashioned 10 Miler — This is a great local race that I’ve missed the past couple of years. I love 10 milers and this is a challenging course.

NYC Half Marathon — Running through Central Park, Times Square and finishing in Battery Park – what’s not to love?!

Boston’s Run to Remember Half Marathon — I opted for the 5 miler at last year’s race because I was far from “half marathon” shape. This is one of my favorite Boston races and will be my goal race for the spring!

Finish at the 50 5K/10K — While I’m not a fan of summer racing, this race has such a fun vibe, with a finish at the 50 yard line at Gillette Stadium, followed by 4th of July fireworks. Added bonus, this will a family affair with both my sons and husband all running!

As for the fall….

I know I’d like to run at least one half marathon…maybe two…the wish list is all over the place, including:

B.A.A. Half  — Boston Athletic Association always does a great race and this half sells out in record time. The year I “ran” it I was injured and was out there to be moral support for a friend who was running her first.

RnR Montreal and/or RnR Savannah — Both cities are on my “must see” city list.

Newport Half — Such a pretty course!

And, given my goal to mix-up the distances, there are also a bunch of great 10Ks within driving distances to consider.

Decisions, decisions…guess I’ll see how the spring goes and then figure it out from there.

Have you run any of these races? Got a suggestion for me for the fall?

I’m linking up with Erika, Marcia and Patty for this week’s Tuesday on the Run, where the topic is weekend warrior vs racecation – which do you prefer? Be sure to stop by and see what others are planning.

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Filed Under: BAA, Boston's Run to Remember, Finish at the 50, NYC Half, Old-fashioned 10 Miler, race calendar, RnR, Tuesdays on the Run

First coffee date of 2017!

January 7, 2017 by 24 Comments

Nothing better on a cold winter morning than catching up with friends over a big mug of coffee. Thanks to Coco and Deborah for hosting the Ultimate Coffee Date!

The Ultimate Coffee Date

If we were having coffee together, I’d tell you that, despite dealing with a nasty cold, I have kept up with the Winter Challenge this week (the goal is to run or walk at least a mile outdoors each day during January).  I’m part of a team from Black Girls Run, and we’ve been having fun cheering each other on – such a positive and motivating group!

If we were having coffee together, I’d tell you that I’m still all over the place on trying to figure out my race calendar. I continue to waiver between staying local  vs. the lure of destination races. I think I have the first half of the year figured out, but the fall is really up for grabs.

If we were having coffee together, I’d tell you that one of my big goals for this year is to reorganize/refresh my house. In some rooms, it’s time for fresh paint or new curtains…maybe a new couch in the family room. And then there’s our office, which needs a complete overhaul. So I’ve been scanning Pinterest, collecting paint samples, and my husband is bracing himself for the storm that’s about to come 🙂

If we were having coffee together, I’d tell you that we are bracing for a snowstorm due to hit this afternoon. I’m dreading facing the madness that always ensues at the grocery store – someone please tell me why the bread shelves are always picked bare? And, seriously, how much milk does one need? I can also never figure out the mad run on shovels they always show on the local news – don’t people still have last year’s shovel?

So what would you tell me over coffee?  Have you got your race calendar figured out?

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Filed Under: race calendar, Ultimate coffee date

Race Calendar Revisited

March 8, 2016 by 20 Comments

So earlier in January, I was still debating so many race options….then this happened….

Team-2016

Well that just opened a whole new can of worms …options…so many options

I already planned to run RnR Philly in September, and had wanted to add a half marathon in both October and November – problem solved!

So now the plan is…

Run to Remember Half — May

Finish at the 50 10K — July (Yes July…I may regret this one!)

RnR Philly Half — September (flat and fast…goal race perhaps?)

RnR Brooklyn Half — October (Perfect way to spend the long weekend in NYC!)

Canton Fall Classic — October (5K and 10K option – TBD)

RnR Las Vegas — November (I was all set to run the #StripAtNight last year, then the surgery happened, so I don’t want to miss a 2nd chance to run this one!)

Now…if I allow myself to dream and the travel gods were to smile on me, RnR Dublin in August would be a fun way to celebrate my birthday, and then there’s RnR San Antonio in December. Let the stalking of airline websites commence!

Want to add an Rock’n’Roll race (or two) to your calendar? As a member of the Rock’n’Blog team, I’m happy to finally be able to share a discount code with you! Use code ROCKATTITUDE and save $15 on domestic half marathons or marathons, and €/£3 on international races.

 Will I see you at any of these race this year?

rp_Tuesdays-on-the-run-150x150.jpgLinking up with Erika, Marcia and Patty for Tuesdays on the Run

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Filed Under: #RocknBlog, race calendar, Tuesdays on the Run

Races, races everywhere

January 15, 2016 by 10 Comments

 

race-memeAh the race calendar…so many possible races…I’m still weighing a number of options (and, of course, trying to figure out potential family conflicts).  Here’s what I’m thinking…

B.A.A. 5K (April) — both of my boys are talking about running this year, but sports commitments could say otherwise.

Boston’s Run to Remember (May) — this is one of my favorite half marathons and I’m already registered. It was my first (you can read about it here) and I can wait to run it again!

Rock ‘n’ Roll Philadelphia (Sept) — I was so bummed to have missed this one last year because of my surgery, so when I got an email offering an early bird special I jumped on it.

Tufts 10K (October) — I haven’t run this one in a while and am still not sure it will fit in this year. This race is always Columbus Day and there are a couple of half marathons that are either that same weekend or the weekend before. Right now that list  of halfs includes Wineglass, B.A.A. and Newport.

Canton Fall Classic (Oct) — This is a great local race…the start line is literally 2 miles from my house – win!

Race in November TBD — Like October, there are a handful of half marathons I’m debating and they’re all clustered around the same weekend or two. Vegas? Savannah? Richmond? or stay local? Decisions, decisions.

Have you figured out your race schedule? Have you run any of the half marathons on my “maybe” list?

 

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Filed Under: Boston's Run to Remember, Canton Fall Classic, race calendar, RnRPhilly

Ultimate Coffee Kick off 2016!

January 2, 2016 by 10 Comments

The Ultimate Coffee Date

Happy 2016!

It’s the first Saturday of the year and the perfect time to catch-up over coffee. I’m joining Coco, Lynda and Deborah -grab a big mug of your fave hot beverage and let’s catch up for a bit.

If we were having coffee together, I’d ask you what you did to ring in the new year? We had a great family night including our traditional new year’s eve fondue dinner, Lego building, Mario Kart battles and watching the bowl games. The boys had no trouble making it till midnight…I wasn’t so sure I would…but I did see the ball drop.

SW-THE-FORCE-AWAKENS

If we were having coffee together, I’d tell you that we have been making the most of this school break! We saw Star Wars (loved it!!), made it to the Nutcracker and my youngest son & his hockey team were invited back to skate at a Bruins game again! It’s been a good mix of fun things to do and just hanging out – I think we’re all feeling re-charged.

If we were having coffee together, I’d tell you that we had our first blast of frigid weather here, including some sleet. Icy roads meant my first trip to the gym in months – let’s just say I have not missed the treadmill.

If we were having coffee together, I’d tell you that I’m struggling a bit with my race calendar for this year. As I start to pencil in all of the boys sports commitments, J’s lacrosse schedule, plus the races we both want to run, there are conflicts everywhere!  Not sure how this will all shake out yet.

If we were having coffee together, I’d tell you that I wish I could chat for longer, but I’ve got to fill my travel mug and head to the arena for my son’s hockey game.

So what would you tell me over coffee?  Have you figured out your race calendar yet?

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Filed Under: race calendar, Ultimate coffee date

Figuring out the Fall

June 25, 2015 by 10 Comments

As I’ve been working to rebuild my mileage base, I have been pouring over race listings trying to figure out my Fall calendar. I was toying briefly with the idea of running a summer race, but unless I get a sudden urge to jump into a 5K at the last minute, I’m going to let that idea go. I think I’m better off continuing to build my base, get stronger, and focus on the Fall.

So here’s what I’m thinking my Fall line-up will look like:

September:

Wicked 10 Miler — Yes! I will finally get a 10-miler in this year! This race is typically just a half marathon, but after the race organization had to cancel the Black Cat 10 miler back in March (thanks to the winter that wouldn’t quit!), they decided to add in the 10 mile distance.

October:

Tufts 10K — This one is still a question mark, because it is held on Columbus Day and the family could have plans that weekend. Luckily this is an easy race to jump into at last minute so I can hold off on registering until I know for sure.

RnR Philly — I have wanted to do this race for a while and I’m very excited that I’ll get to do it as part of the Rock ‘n’ Roll’s Rock ‘n’ Blog team. It will be my first half marathon in more than a year!

November:

Vegas Baby! — I signed on for the RnR Vegas Half as soon as the registration opened.  And now to add to the madness fun, I’ve decided to go for the Remix Challenge and make my 3rd Rock ‘n’ Blog race the 5K the night before! It looks like my husband J, my brother and a friend or two may also be in for this little adventure – should be a good time!

Should be a fun fall…and with Wicked a little over 12 weeks a way it’s time to get focused!

What’s your Fall calendar look like? 

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Wahoo Fitness Giveaway Winner — Thanks to everyone who entered the Wahoo Fitness Giveaway. Congrats to Janet R – you won the Tickr X heart monitor! Please email me with your info and the folks at Wahoo will get that off to you.

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Filed Under: #RocknBlog, #StripAtNight, #Tickrx, #Wahoo, race calendar, RnRPhilly

May Runfessions

May 29, 2015 by 18 Comments

It’s Runfession Friday and I’m linking up with Marcia again  – time to cleanse my sweaty soul. Who’s in?

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Runfession #1 –– OK, this one should come as no great surprise given my knee woes – I haven’t run much this month. But, now that I’ve got the green light, I’ll be adding miles in June!

Runfession #2 — This one’s more of a food-fession: my schedule has been super hectic lately and I have been eating a lot on the fly…and not always the best choices. I haven’t stepped on the scale but I’m fairly sure a few extra lbs have crept on to the scene – no bueno.

Runfession #3 — The gym crazies flood gates are now officially open at my gym! And, while I haven’t seen Mr. Dress Shoes lately, I have to admit I’m enjoying the people watching – it’s made the time on the elliptical go by faster.

Runfession #4 — While I know I’m suppose to ramp up my running slowly, I’m having a hard time suppressing the desire to sign up for a summer race. I generally don’t love running much less racing in the heat, but I’m feeling the need to put a target out there before I get to my fall races. Crazy to add the race calendar?

I’m also linking up with Courtney, Mar & Cynthia for their Friday link-up. It’s a “Free Friday” this week so be sure to stop and check out what everyone’s talking about!

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So tell me, what’s your Runfession? Do you race in the summer?

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Filed Under: gym crazies, race calendar, Runfessions

Race Shopping Dilemna

February 25, 2015 by 14 Comments

So the juggling of my race calendar continues….

I have been anxiously waiting for Rock ‘n’ Roll to announce the date of #RnRPhilly, and this happened…..

PHI15_announce_datacap

And I was all “Yay sign me up!”….then I realized that this puts #RnRPhilly one week before #RnRSavannah….gah!

I was so looking forward to running both of these races, but running them on back-to-back weekends is not an option. So now what?

I’ve gone back to staring at the R’n’R website to figure out where I’m going to get my #RocknBlog groove on – and the list of potential races is long:

In September — Virginia Beach and Montreal

In October — Denver (how bad is the altitude?) and Philly

In November — Savannah and Las Vegas (racing at night?)

In December — San Antonio

TBD — Brooklyn

Decisions… decisions – Run Philly or Savannah? Consider running the Strip at Night?And, am I crazy to even consider putting Chicago in July on the list?!?

Any words of advice? Have you run any of these races?

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Filed Under: #RocknBlog, race calendar, race shopping, RnR

My 2015 Race Calendar

January 29, 2015 by 16 Comments

After reflecting back on lessons learned from a not so great race, it seems like the perfect time to look ahead to this year’s race calendar. Ah the race calendar…so many races to consider. If only there were infinite time and funds!

So here’s what I’m thinking (hoping) so far:

March 29th:  Cambridge City Run 5-miler City Run

April 12th:  Cherry Blossom 10 Miler cucblogo

April 18th:  BAA 5K  baa_logo

May 24th:  Boston Run to Remember 5 miler  66423_351740471611351_1208731592_n

June 7th:  Newport 10 miler  Newport 10 Miler

June 23rd:  BAA 10K ** This one is a big question mark because I’ll be working a big event for my job the day before and sometimes late June in Boston is just too hot!

The second half of the year will be all about the half marathon and some #RocknBlog fun!

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I’ve narrowed down the #RnR options to Virginia Beach, Philadelphia, Brooklyn, Savannah and San Antonio. The dates for Philly and Brooklyn have not been finalized yet…believe it or not the Pope is playing a role in holding up the Philly date! So for now I stalk watch the website and Facebook for an announcement. There may be another race or two of shorter distances in the fall, but I want to get these figured out first.

So I’ve got a pretty good mix of favorite repeats and some new destinations

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Filed Under: #RocknBlog, BAA, Boston's Run to Remember, Cherry Blossom, Newport 10 Miler, race calendar

Ready to #RocknBlog 2015!

December 22, 2014 by 16 Comments

Well it looks like my dance card just got a little fuller…
I’m super psyched to announce that I’ve been selected to be part of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series 2015 Rock ‘n’ Blog Team!RocknBlog Twitter pic

There are so many great RnR locations to pick from – Savannah has been on my list for a while so it looks like 2015 will be the year. Now to figure out where else I’m headed…

Have you run an RnR race? Which destination would suggest?

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Filed Under: #RocknBlog, keeping it interesting, race calendar, RnR